My Nana is dying.

[BarenakedLady]

My last grandparent. She is 102. I got to see her a couple of weeks ago when I was in RI. My mom said it was one of her last really good days, so I was lucky. Evidently, yesterday morning she was well enough to eat in the dining hall (nursing home). It is going really really fast.

Of course, I'm torn. She's lived a wonderfully long life. But...but...but...She's my Nana. I love her so much. Damn I wish I could find the poem I wrote for her on her 90th birthday.

"She is Popsicles and peppermint tea"...

She is sleeping and will pass peacefully with my mother, my dad, and my aunt by her side. I just have to wait here 7 hours away for the phone call that it's over. :(

[mwdem]

1. I'm so sorry to hear this.

It's a good thing you've had her this long, and you love her so much. She's surrounded by family, and will pass in peace, and that's all you need to wish for her now.:hug: I lost both of mine early on in my life, but will always remember them, and how much they meant to me.

[Blue Diadem]

2. I'm sorry BnL.

It doesn't matter their age, we still mourn and miss them. I'm glad you were able have her in your life and that you were able to see her recently.

If you find that poem, I hope you post it for us. "She is Popsicles and peppermint tea" sounds like a perfect poem to honor your Grandma.

:hug:

[xchrom]

3. Peace be with you and your family. nt

[russian33]

4. be strong!

102 is an amazing age, and i'm sure she lived an amazing life!!
i lost one of my grandmothers when she was only 72...7 years ago, she missed so much :(

[Guava Jelly]

5. I'm sorry my friend

:hug: and :hug: and you are in my thoughts

[malta blue]

6. I am so sorry.

You are so lucky to have had your nana for so long - and she lived a full life.

:hug:
Take comfort knowing that she is not alone, and that she is not in pain.

:hug::hug:

I am so sorry....

[Parche]

7. N

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:


102 is a long and good life, with an awesome grand daughter by her side.....


:hi:

[SteppingRazor]

8. I lost my last grandparent a few years ago.

During the Depression, he found work with FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps. He would happily recall that the government supplied him with a pint of milk each day. In World War II, he was with MacArthur when the man kept his "I shall return" promise and slogged back onto the beaches in the Philippenes, and God only knows what else he went through, because he never talked about it except for that moment. He stayed in the military for more than 20 years, rising from a private to a chief warrant officer. He got a law degree after World War II, worked in Germany while it was being rebuilt, then came back to the states and worked for the ATF. He was relentlessly brave.

He helped raise me from the ages of 3-10. He took me to his softball games, where he was hailed as the greatest underarm in the senior league. He brought me to Kiwanis club breakfasts, where he was touted as "Gene the Dancing Machine," a title that always made my more-proper grandmother scowl. He took me to the beach to "look at the girls," despite the fact that my general response at that age was "Ewwww! Girls are gross!" He took me to my first bar at the age of 8 and had me wink at the waitresses to score free drinks. He smuggled me into City Hall while it was closed and took my picture sitting in the mayor's chair. He loved me the way only grandparents can, having all the love of parents but being spared most of the agonies.

After the stroke, he still talked about playing softball again, though he never did. He took care of my grandmother in her last years, and after his wife of more than 45 years died from Alzheimer's, he tried to stay strong, but grew progressively weaker, which was a hell of a thing for a man built like a barrel -- squat and stout. But he took help only when he had to and grew old with all the dignity he could muster.

The last time I saw him was the only time he got to meet the woman who is now my wife. We met him in Baltimore, pushed his wheelchair around the aquarium, and talked about the old times. I was 29, he was 88. The visit did him good. Afterward, despite barely getting around anymore, he somehow managed to get on a plane and visit my parents and my brother in Florida for a couple of weeks. Then he went back home to Baltimore, and he died. He was buried in Arlington with full honors -- the bugler, the horse-drawn carriage, and all that. That was two years ago now, but Eugene Osborne Fisher was, and will always be, the man to which I measure all others.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, I know how you feel. Even a long life filled with love and success seems not nearly long enough. :hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

9. Safe passage to your Nana, BNL.

This poem helped me a lot when my mom died.

I AM NOT THERE

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP,
I AM NOT THERE, I DO NOT SLEEP

I AM A THOUSAND WINDS THAT BLOW,

I AM THE DIAMONDS GLINTS ON SNOW,

I AM THE SUNLIGHT ON RIPENED GRAIN,

I AM THE GENTLE AUTUMN RAIN.

WHEN YOU AWAKEN IN THE MORNINGS HUSH
I AM THE SWIFT UPLIFTING RUSH,
OF QUIET BIRDS IN CIRCLED FLIGHT.

I AM THE SOFT STARS THAT SHINE AT NIGHT.

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND CRY,
I AM NOT THERE, I DID NOT DIE.

[Gonzo Gardener]

10. ...

:hug: and :hug: and :hug:

There's nothing I could say to ease your pain. I miss mine almost every day. Try to remember good things she taught you and carry them forward... teach these things to your children and your grandchildren.

and one more... :hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

11. Love and peace to you & Nana.

[billyskank]

12. . . .

:hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

13. I'm so sorry BNL

My deepest and sincerest thoughts, prayers, best wishes and positive vibes to your grandmother and to you and your family:hug: :hug: :hug:

I know some of what you must be going through right now, having lost all of my grandparents. You were fortunate and blessed to have had your grandmother with you for so long and that she lived long enough to see you become an adult and have children of your own (I know my grandmother always wanted to live long enough to see her great grandchildren and I remember how happy she was when she achieved this goal). But our grandparents have a special place in our heart and we never want to let them go.

I wish her, you and all of your family peace, love, comfort and strength at this difficult time

[flvegan]

14. I'm sorry, BNL.

Be thankful for the time you've had with her, and that she's passing peacefully.

102. Wow.

[UrbScotty]

15. Best wishes for a peaceful passing.

Love to you and your entire family.

:hug:

[otherlander]

16. ...

:cry:

:hug::hug:

[EnviroBat]

17. Sorry BnL...

I hope you're ok...

:hug:

[Flaxbee]

18. oh, I'm so sorry, BNL

All my grandparents are gone (both granddads before I was born); I really miss my maternal grandmother; she was so loving, and I was just a stupid teenager when she died, too young to appreciate my time with her. Sounds like you had some wonderful years with your Nana, and she with you. :hug:

[DarkTirade]

19. ....

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

20. Safe passage to your Nana,

might she be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours, BNL. :hug:

[NewWaveChick1981]

21. I'm really sorry, sweetie.

:hug: :hug: :pals: I know it isn't easy. It's not the same as having her around, but you can cherish all the great memories you have of her. :hug: When my granny passed away in 1991, it was tough, but I still love her. :)

[redqueen]

22. I'm so sorry...

:(

[FloridaJudy]

23. I'm so sorry.

Not matter how old they may be, we miss out loved ones when they die. That phone call is going to be tough.

But think of what a long wonderful life she lived. Imagine the changes in the world that she's seen! And find comfort in that she's passing peacefully, with her loved ones around. Would that all could be so blessed.

:hug:

[Eurobabe]

24. Hugs BNL, doesn't matter if they are 94 or 102

My gram passed on Aug. 14, 2005 at age 94. I loved her dearly, she was in many ways my mom. I saw her two weeks before she died, she was in such pain I knew she wanted to go.

But it is never easy when they leave. :hug: :hug:

Safe journey to your Nana.

[lost-in-nj]

25. Sweety

:hug:


lost

[Inchworm]

26. I am so sorry BNL

It is a hard thing to go through. Your Nana is a spectacular woman and will be missed here.

Know that you are loved.

:hug::hug::hug:

[Haole Girl]

27. I just saw this...

Thinking of you, BNL. :hug:

[BlueIris]

28. Oh, hon. I'm sorry. I'm down to my last grandma, too. nt

[hippywife]

29. I'm so sorry, BNL.

I know how hard it is to lose your favorite nana. I miss mine every day. I just remind myself that I was lucky enough to have her until I was 36 and got to spend lots of time with her through my life.

Cherish her memory and, most of all, the ones you made together. They will become a great comfort to you. :hug:

[tigereye]

30. wow, makes you wish people we love could live forever -

I am sorry, but I bet she has had a cool, interesting life. :hug:

[Writer]

31. Wow, I am so sorry, BNL.

She sounds like such a rich part of your life, which is never an easy thing to lose.

I hope when she passes, she passes peacefully.

:hug:

~Writer~

[laylah]

32. Been there...

done that. May I offer a very BIG :hug: My Gram was 6 mos shy of her 100th...but we are never too old for them to leave us! I am so sorry.

[sarge43]

33. Condolences, BarenakedLady

She'll always be with you. :hug:

[QMPMom]

34. I am so sorry.

[cabbage08]

35. I'm so sorry...

[applegrove]

36. So sorry to hear that. Grandmothers are gods.

[ThomCat]

37. I hope she goes peacefully.

I'm glad you had a chance to be with her, and I'm glad you were close. :hug: